West Cheshire residents are being asked to share their views on the council’s policies regarding disability related expenditure and deferred payments.
The Care Act, which was introduced in 2014, seeks to ensure that wellbeing, dignity and choice are at the heart of all local authority health and social care services and includes consideration of how care is assessed and charged for, who may have to contribute and how much people will have to pay towards it.
When an individual requires residential care and is a homeowner the council can offer them the option to defer their care fees so they don’t have to sell their house straight away, called a deferred payment agreement. In future the agreement will include an administration charge.
The council is also looking to ensure that the financial assessment process for disability related expenditure is as easy and discreet as possible for service users.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is proposing to introduce a light-touch financial assessment for those with a range of different circumstances - reducing the need for an individual face-to-face assessment to determine the costs of disability related expenditure in every case, and thereby reduce the need for personal and sensitive discussions.
Cabinet member for adult social care, Cllr Paul Dolan, said: “We are committed to ensuring that our policies are both effective in supporting those that need them and fair in how they are delivered, considering impact on individuals and meeting all of the requirements of the Care Act.
“We and our partners are continuously looking for ways to provide compassionate and joined-up care tailored to the individual that supports the independence of older people and vulnerable adults.
“We are keen to hear from residents, particularly those who may be considering using these services in the future. Those who already have a deferred payment agreement in place or have been financially assessed for disability related expenditure will not be affected by any future changes.”
Residents have until Sunday, August 14 to share their views by reading the consultation document and complete the questionnaire.
Further detail on all of the options and their potential impact can be found on the council’s website by clicking on the Your Council section and following links to ‘consultations, petitions and public questions’.
You can either complete the online survey or print off the paper consultation document and post it to Cheshire West and Chester Council - Information, Advice and Support Service, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BE.
If you would like to request a copy please email accesswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or call 0300 123 7034.
You can also have you say by collecting a printed copy of the consultation booklet and questionnaire from your nearest library or main council building.
